Sunday, November 2, 2014

Slip Slidin' Away!

Same, tired old story. My blogging assistant is just too busy to give me a hand, so summer memories are slip sliding away, and our latest visit from the Grands from Kansas is a memory as well. Enjoy this edition of catch-up photo memories.

 Had a fun evening with our old 'Hyde Park buds' at Cheesecake Factory. We were all young adults havin' our babies and doin' life, and those kinds of friendships just stick!

I decided to go ahead and post this so no one could ever attempt to blackmail us with it in the future. Actually, it's Wes that might be blackmailed! Can you say 'Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber'?!! It was a hippy costume party in 1981. Some kind of time warp workin' here.

Wes was very proud that he made some progress of setting up the rainwater harvest system by the end of the summer.

And the final step; getting the gutters installed and connected to the tank. Now we just need some substantial rains!

This okra in the square foot garden got out of hand! Wes could not get out there often enough to keep the okra from getting a foot long. When finally brought down, the trunk was about 2" across. Tree okra!

Always fun to make a run to New Braunfels and take Mawmaw out to McAdoo Seafood Company. Cajun enchiladas are the best!

 Or picking Mawmaw up and delivering her to a 90th birthday party of an old friend in Austin. She really loves those chocolate covered strawberries!

 Edith Ussery lived across the street from Lee and Sylvia when they served at Buda. Special bonds are formed with those friends that are pregnant at the same time with their first!

Mawmaw with Edith and her daughters.

Visiting my 93-year-young Aunt Mildred in Waco. She has written the best book of memories complete with pictures, and it is such a delight to sit, read, and remember with her.

 And taking Mawmaw to another 90th birthday party. This time in Mason for her cousin Nolan Donop. Need to check on their secret of youth!

Cousin Nolan and his two daughters Rebecca Meyer and Betty Jean Garrett with Mawmaw. Nolan owned and ran the Donop Feed Store for many years in Mason.

Our ladies trio 'Joyful Hearts' got to bring a few songs to the worship service at Union Hall Baptist in Liberty Hill. To my left, Margaret Baeza, Pat Widner, and our pianist and director Vicki Young. It was a blessing to be there.

 Kate and her girls got to come down for a few days at the end of October. Porch time with Papa Wes is a must for our newest, Heidi Christiana.

 And blessed to have temps just cool enough for Papa Wes to do some grilling and of course, roasting marshmallows. It's a happy crew!

Papa Wes probably enjoys doin' breakfast for his grands better than just about anything!

 Our beautiful daughter Kate, sportin' a new cut, and enjoying some of my THM breakfast.

 Mercedes and Evangeline got out of the house this morning before anyone could even put their hair up, thus the tresses and curls are everywhere!

 Just doesn't get any better than this folks!

 Steaks are ready to fill our porch table for supper. What a blessing to have this crew with us for a few days.

Mercedes Noel, Evangeline Rose, and Heidi Christiana Hopkins.

 We made a run to check out the new playscape at the Rec Center at San Gabriel Park.

And over to Cherry Berry for some frozen yogurt and all the toppin's.

 Wes insisted that I sit for a portrait with Heidi. Her mama got a smile out of her.

 We met Mawmaw and Wes's sister Becky Adams at Rudy's for a Sunday afternoon visit. Heidi likes Mawmaw's bling!

 Well, I don't know. You say you have grands too? Well then, that makes it okay!

 Mawmaw Sylvia and two of her 14 great grandchildren.

Mawmaw loves her kids, and they love her. What a blessing to spend some time with her, and our daughter and grands!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Mid-Summer Post

Whew! What a summer! Now that we survived Mawmaw's 90th Birthday celebration week, we can revisit some events of the earlier part of the summer.

Oh the misery of our Trim Healthy Mama eating plan! This is called an 'S' meal, for 'satisfying'. Meat protein from pork butt roast, kale, cauliflower mix, and almond flour biscuits. It's tough!

One of our favorite date night destinations is River City Grille in Marble Falls. 
Sunset water view and fish tacos!

Every spring our Young at Heart Bunch takes time for a retreat. This year we were blessed to be at Highland Lakes Conference Center. And yes, they are young at heart!

See, I told you so!

I won't say anything about the 'monkey bars'!

Our new executive pastor Derrick Norris, demonstrating why he's uniquely equipped for the Fellowship job; fearless to climb difficult heights!

Earlier this summer, when the knockout roses had started showing, and the squash vine borer had not gotten to the zucchini. 

My precious Aunt Mildred Burke, spending a little time in rehab. Here with my brother Jimmy and his wife Aggie.

Our friend Tommy Tollett said that if the soil is right, the plants will LEAP out of the ground. Of course, Wes says it helps to use 'HastaGro' from Medina Ag products. Thanks Stuart!

With the bridegroom of my youth! Lookin' good Wes!

Posing at the Ft.Worth water gardens, where we were serving as delegates to the Republican Party of Texas state convention.

We've been doing state conventions with these two since the early '90's. Blessed by Randy and Judge Edna Staudt, BFF!!

You can count on seeing heroes like Davey Crockett at the convention. Portrayed by our friend Mark Collins, who also does a great George Washington!

We were checking on purchasing this elephant for some yard art!

Convention wouldn't be complete without Dean Higginbotham and his pachyderm hat!

And our favorite date destination in New Braunfels with Maw? McAdoo's Seafood in the old post office building. Best cajun enchiladas!

Another filling breakfast on the THM eating plan. Trim Healthy pancakes made with ground oat meal for the flour, sugar free syrup, and berries!

And don't forget the 'Singing Canary' drink; lemon juice, tumeric, vanilla, Vit C, coconut oil, protein powder, salt, stevia and water. It's a shrinker!

Blessed to honor Harold and Mary Roddy, along with our friend Karen Stump. Harold was made 'Deacon Emeritus' for his years of service to our Lord and Fellowship Church.


Our Hopkins girls were in town for Maw's birthday celebration. Papa Wes loves swingin' them in the yard.

 Dear friend Debbie Bebee dropped by to visit Kate and the girls. She wanted to greet Heidi Christiana to Libery Hill.


 Papa Wes in hawg heaven, holdin' some of his grands.


 Papa Wes just had to fix up the playhouse. He added the stone walk and some flowering plants to welcome the girls. Mercedes will be ducking at the door before long.


 And here I am in hawg heaven. Love me some time with the Hopkins girls!


 Papa Wes captured this action shot of Evangeline at the Veterans Park Splash Pad in Cedar Park.


Happy girls enjoying the water.

Fun spot for a picnic.


You know you married well when your man is excited about some camo gear as Father's Day gifts, to enhance his ability to sneak up on the birds!